Booklet - Breed a Better Pedigree Flock - Eblex

3
1. Why should I record my flock?
Performance recording gives pedigree breeders and ram
buyers an objective way to assess the genetic potential
of rams selected for breeding.
Recording adds value to pedigree breeders
As Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) become more widely
promoted, rams with high EBVs regularly achieve £300-
£400 premiums at ram sales. More importantly, clearance
rates are higher than those for unrecorded flocks.
In an EBLEX survey over 90% of pedigree producers
believed that interest in performance recording had risen in
the past two years. With commercial buyers actively seeking
recorded rams with the right EBVs, it clearly pays to record.
Commercial buyers now actively seek
rams with the right EBVs, which makes
recording pay.
Table1: Typical flock results
No. of Days to Carcase Extra
Progeny Slaughter Weight Value
Borrins Farm
(kg)
High Index Ram 77 134 19.68 £2.78 direct benefit
Farm Stock Ram 77 142 18.99 and leaner carcases
Harrop Hall
High Index Ram 38 166 18.61 £2.68 direct benefit
Farm Stock Ram 41 171 17.82 and leaner carcases
Source: Defra funded ADS trial
Performance recording:
1. Improves breeding decisions by using EBVs to:
Identify ram lambs to be retained as stock sires
Make mating decisions within the breeding flock
Select female replacements
2. Enables breeding stock to be marketed
more effectively:
Buyers can purchase rams with confidence
Rams can be compared to those bred
in other flocks
Better quality rams are produced for sale
3. Makes more money from pedigree
sheep production
Recording adds value to commercial
producers
With recorded rams, commercial sheep producers can
enhance flock productivity and profitability.
In terminal sire breeds, rams with:
high scan weight EBVs will:
increase carcase weights
reduce days to slaughter weight
high muscle depth EBVs will:
enhance carcase conformation
low fat depth EBVs will:
produce leaner carcases
Defra-funded trials show this benefit can be worth an
extra £2.50 - £3.00 a lamb. (See Table 1)
In maternal breeds, increases in the number and weight
of lambs weaned will substantially improve the profitability
of both hill and lowland breeding flocks.
A recorded ram can deliver
over £600 added benefit
during its working lifetime
- a highly cost-effective
investment.